Welcome to the Interviews page, to read interviews I have had recently go to the bottom of the page and click on the link. I will be interviewing an author or editor every month, so look out for announcements of who will be featured here. This month I interviewed Changeling Press editor, Maryam Salim.

Kyla: Welcome, Maryam. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed by me. =) Can you tell everyone what your typical day as an editor is like please?

Maryam: My typical day as an editor, hmm, is not so typical LOL Or, perhaps it is, in this day in age, since my typical "editing" day doesn't really begin until night. I work full time, and therefore, I don't get around to editing until the night when I get home from work or the weekends. Because of the demands of my day job (which has me travelling frequently), I need to be as organized as I can be with my editing, so that I don't get behind in my editing and also so that I ensure I give the best that I can in terms of support, to each and every author I work with.

Kyla: What makes you accept a new submission?

Maryam: Interesting characters or storyline that make me forget what else I should be doing. Those first few chapters in a story are critical. They have to make me want to read beyond chapter two or three, they need to make me want to know what happens next. I also have to like the characters and want to see what happens to them.

Kyla: Do you have any advice to new and aspiring authors out there?

Maryam: Write the story that moves you. And don't give up at the first rejection, keep trying, and learn from that initial rejection. And remember, what might not be right for one publishing house, may be exactly what another is looking for.

Kyla: Can you tell us what books you are editing at present?

Maryam: I'm always editing several books at a time, right now, well I'm editing this fantastic sequel titled Catari Heat 2: Double the Pleasure for Changeling Press Other Changeling authors I'm editing at the moment, include Samantha Winston, who has written the final instalment to her Paradise Earth Series and Elizabeth Jewell, who has written a story for Changeling's upcoming Halloween Bash. I also have a several stories by Sheri Gilmore, Camille Anthony, Cyndi Friberg and Aubrey Ross that are awaiting line edits at Loose Id and will be releasing soon. I edit for both publishing companies.

Kyla: Tell us who your favourite authors are, do you have any recommendations about books we just have to read?

Maryam: Now isn't that the most impossible question to answer Well, for starters every author I edit are favourites. They write the most amazing stories and have fabulous imaginations taking you on the most incredible journeys. So please check them out at Changeling Press and Loose Id. I love the works of Angela Knight, she's an absolute Goddess! If you haven't read Jane's Warlord or Master of the Moon, you are truly missing out. Other favourite authors include, Marilyn Lee, Diane Whiteside, Kate Douglas, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Nora Roberts/JD Robb, Cheyenne McCray, Annie Windsor, Mary Janice Davidson, Lisa Marie Rice, Shelley Laurenston, Jaid Black, Julie Garwood, Fiona Brand, Laurell K. Hamilton (Meredith Gentry stories), Linda Howard and the list could go on and on. In fact I'm sure I'm forgetting someone.

Kyla: What interests and hobbies do you have away from editing?

Maryam: I love to read, and when I get a chance I try to catch up on my reading. There's nothing better than curling up with a good book whether in bed or on the beach I also love to cook. I find it relaxing - except for washing of dishes - and love to invite friends over for a good meal. I love watching movies, the sillier the better - real life is crazy enough, I like to be taken way from it all when watching a movie.

Thank you to Maryam for her interview answers. Look out for an interview with author Lacey Savage in November.

Watch this space for further announcements of who will be interviewed next.

Kyla